January 2007 - Table Shuffleboard Association

PACIFIC NORTHWEST
SHUFFLEBOARD
NEWSLETTER
JANUARY 2007
BY SHARON NUGENT
Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad
Elbe, Washington USA
Hi Everyone,
Welcome to 2007, let’s have a great year in
shuffleboard, any additions or deletions to the
calendar, please email me and let me know. Let’s
continue to try and keep tournaments at every
other weekend as not to step on other tavern
owners.
Thanks,
Sharon Nugent
Shuffleboard Newsletter Editor
Email: tweetybird-121@comcast.net
PACIFIC NORTHWEST 2007 TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
(as of 01/13/07 - Bookmark to Check for future additions/updates)
YEAR 2007 PNW CALENDAR
JANUARY 2007
FEBRUARY 2007
MARCH 2007
January 26-28 (See Flyer PDF )
21st Annual Mud Bay Masters
Frankie's Sports Bar
Olympia, Washington
February 9-11 (See Flyer PDF )
Annual Mixed Sweetheart Doubles
Blue Goose Tavern & Red Dog Saloon
Port Orchid, Washington
March 9-11
A-B Bring Your Own Tournament
Nifty Fifty's
Tacoma, Washington
January 27-28
A/B Doubles Bring
Goonies
Coos Bay, Oregon
February 12-19 (See Flyer & Details)
2007 West Coast Annual President's Day
Eagles Lodge
Medford, Oregon
March 17-18
4-Person Draft
Glasscocks
Rogue River (Gold Hill), Oregon
February 23-25 (See Flyer)
25th Annual Fir Cone Masters
Ernie's Fir Cone Tavern
Shelton, Washington
APRIL 2007
MAY 2007
JUNE 2007
April 6-8
4th Annual Larry Hudson Mem. (ABC Draw)
Red Dog Saloon
Port Orchard, Washington
May 4-6
35th Annual Open Doubles
Eagles Lodge
Medford, Oregon
June 1-3
A-B Bring Your Own
Fir Cone Tavern's Annual "Forest Festival"
Shelton, Washington
April 20-22
Come One - Come All
(A-B Draw & A-B Bring Your Own)
BZ's Sports Bar & Grill
Burien, Washington
May 11-13 (See Flyer PDF - 3 page flyer)
Tournament of Champions
(Invitational Doubles & Open Doubles Draw)
"Events for Everyone"-call for details
Whistling Oyster Bar
Quilcene, Washington Email: Bill & Sandee
June 8-10
A-B Doubles (Bring Your Own)
Goonies
Coos Bay, Oregon
May 24-28 (See Flyer PDF )
Memorial Day Tournament
Little Creek Casino Resort (multi-event)
(Sponsored by: Olympic Shuffleboard)
Shelton, Washington
June 22-24
A-B-C Event
Old Edison Inn
Edison, Washington
JULY 2007
AUGUST 2007
SEPTEMBER 2007
July 13-15
7th Annual A/B Doubles (Bring)
Cattleman's
Rogue River, Oregon
August 4-5
Grand Masters Plus (Multi-Event)
Whistling Oyster Bar
Quilcene, Washington Email: Bill & Sandee
August 30-September 4
Rural America Labor Day/multi-event
Eagles Lodge
Medford, Oregon
August 16-19
Canadian Longboard Masters 2007/multi-event
Royal Canadian Legion Branch #83
Burnaby, BC CANADA
September 14-16
4th Annual Jack Steffensen Memorial
Blue Goose Tavern & Red Dog Saloon
Port Orchard, Washington
August 30-September 4
Rural America Labor Day/multi-event
Eagles Lodge
Medford, Oregon
OCTOBER 2007
NOVEMBER 2007
DECEMBER 2007
October 6-7
3-Person Draft
Glasscocks
Rogue River (Gold Hill), Oregon
October ??- November ??
(See Shuffleboard Federation site)
18th Annual NASC Reno 2006
Sands Regency Hotel/Casino
Reno, Nevada
December 28-30
Annual Mixed Doubles Tournament
Tim's Timber Tavern
Kelso, Washington
October ??- November ??
(See Shuffleboard Federation site)
18th Annual NASC Reno 2006
Sands Regency Hotel/Casino
Reno, Nevada
November 9-11
Annual Mixed Doubles Tournament
Ernie's Fir Cone Tavern
Shelton, Washington
November 23-25
BZ's Annual Thanksgiving Tournament
(A/B /C Bring Team)
BZ's Bar & Grill
Burien, Washington
November 25
4th Annual 3-Person Bring (Limit 1 A
Player/Team)
Eagles Lodge
Medford, Oregon
Frankie’s Sports Bar & Grill
3663 Pacific Ave.
360-455-0352
SE Olympia, WA
PRESENTS
Buzz’s 20th Annual Mud Bay Masters Shuffleboard
Tournament
Jan. 26, 27 and 28, 2007
Friday Night Open Draw - 3 or 4 Good Boards
7:00 pm start - $20 per person
Call if going to be late but no more than 30 minutes
Saturday 27th - Open Doubles
Calcutta will start at 11:00 am
0’s thru -1’s - $100 per team (No two -1’s)
1.01 Thru 2.50 - $50 per team
2.51 Thru Novice - $30 per team
Open Doubles will start following the Calcutta
2 out of 3 in Winner’s Bracket
One game to 17 in Loser’s Bracket
Fun Place To Be with Great Food & Good
Service
Lots of games and Big Screen TV
Let’s bring our shuffleboard people together - young & old
Your Hosts: Frank and Cheri Schnarrs
Please contact us at if you have any questions!!
Lets Play Shuffleboard
2006 Bowers Ratings to be used!!
Ernie’s Fir Cone
th
25 MASTERS
February 23rd thru 25th, 2007
FRIDAY FEB. 23RD @7:00 PM
A-B DRAW $10 ENTRY FEE
SATURDAY FEB 24TH
Sign up, rules, and Calcutta @ 11:00 AM.
Play starts after Calcutta.
Double elimination:
2 out of 3, 15 point games in Winners Bracket.
One, 17 point game in Losers Bracket.
Finals Losers Bracket will be one 21 point game
Entry Fee
-1 thru 0 = $50 per player 1s = $40 per player
2s and higher = $30 per player
Owner: Ernie Montoya (360) 426-2221
2006 Champions: Gary George & Jeff Kersting
Shelton Inn 1-800-451-4560
City Center Motel (306)426-3397
BIG ANNOUNCEMENT!!!
OLYMPIC SHUFFLEBOARD
PRESENTS
MAY 24-28, 2007
A
MEMORIAL DAY 2007
SHUFFELBOARD EVENT AT:
LITTLE CREEK CASINO RESORT
91 West State Route 108
Shelton, Washington 98584
(360) 427-7711
(800) 667-7711
WAHOO!!!!
TELL ALL YOUR FRIENDS….COHORTS AND SUCH!!!!
DETAILED FLYER TO BE COMING SOON!!!
WASHINGTON’S 2007 SPORTSMAN
OF THE YEAR
CLARK KENNEY was voted Washington’s new sportsman of the year for 2007. Clark
will be honored with his award on February 10th, 2007 at the Sweetheart’s tournament in
Port Orchard. Clark is very deserving of this award and we couldn’t be happier for him.
Congratulations Clark!!!
There were many others that were also nominated. They are as follows:
Dan Bijold
Carolyn Floyd
Gary George
Dan Hitt
Dee Hudson
Claire Kenney
Frank Mako
Jerry Matson
Joe Pazkowski
Larry Sawyer
Rick Shaw
Linda Steffensen
Jerry Stonecypher
Linda Walker
Mike Waters
Marv Wilbur
We would like to thank all of those who submitted a nomination.
Sincerely,
The Sportsmanship committee:
Michelle Foran
Mel Hohn
Claire Kenney
Rick Shaw
Ken Simmons
Linda Steffensen
Linda Walker
Galen Gaunce
Galen Gaunce passed away a while back and as I was going through some memorabilia I
ran across this poem that Galen wrote. A friend of his passed away and was such a good
person that Galen couldn’t understand why God took his friend and not the others that
were in the car accident. This poem was transpired from that particular act of God.
I just want people to know how sensitive and intelligent Galen was.
Why Me?
A rose lies crushed in garden’s path
Bleeding out his soul
And cried to God in a sorrowful tone,
Questioning his toll.
Why am I the one that’s crushed? What great sin is done?
I have lived a righteous life. Why am I the one?
A shining light struck his face, singing rang from above
And God threw forth a powerful voice;
A voice that’s filled with love.
Why question birds who fall in flight, drop and strike the earth.
Or babies who have not seen light die before their birth.
All of this is meant to be. Do not ask me why.
Here on earth man calls it faith, never let that die.
The rose looked up and smiled at God and then lay down its head and died
With its mind at rest
Believing what was said.
Created by Galen Gaunce and dedicated to Michelle Foran
STAR SEARCH TOURNAMENT
Ernie’s Fir Cone
Shelton, Washington
22 & 23 July 2006
Reported By: Dwayne Dibley
Winners
(Submitted for posting by: Sharon Nugent, PNW Newsletter Editor/Pulbisher)
Results Posted in July 2006 Results at: http://www.tableshuffleboard.org/July_2006_Results.htm
July 22-23, 2006 (Ernie’s Fir Cone, Shelton, WA):
Every once in a while a great idea comes along.
Usually, however, no one knows that it is a great idea until
after the fact. Example; RCA records thought Elvis
Presley was a passing fad. That’s kind of what happened
in Shelton this weekend. Shuffleboard tournaments in the
Pacific Northwest have been suffering low turnouts for a
while. Promoters are worried about the future of the
game and scrambling to find ways to protect their
investments. In a simple effort towards that end, they
happened upon success. Sort of a Pro-Am type of event
where rated players have to find non-rated players to be
their partners. The result: Wow!
Everyone was amazed at the number of non-rated
players that have an interest in the game. Ernie’s Fir Cone
saw numbers it hasn’t seen since the late 90s. All the
promoters agree that they were unprepared for this kind
of a turn-out. Like RCA Records, they didn’t see the
potential. They do now.
Hind sight is 20/20, and rumor has it that more of these
type of tournaments are in the works. That’s alright with
Mike Waters and his partner Helen Bryant who won the
tournament. Ryan Devlin and Jeff Smith settled for
second. Ernie’s Fir Cone Owner Ernie Montoya and
Northwest hall of famer Frank Mako ended a great
weekend in third. Fourth place went to the team of Jim
“007” Thorton and Russ Frazier. Tied for fifth place was
Carolyn Floyd and Evelyn and the team of Claire Kenney
and her daughter Renee. The tournament was masterfully
run by Clark Kenney, the best tournament director on
earth.
Ernie (Fir Cone owner) would like to express his
thanks to the Promoters, the Tournament Director, and the
Shelton Shuffleboard community for their support and
dedication to keeping shuffleboard alive. Ernie also went
on to express his thanks for the players (See Next Page
for Participant List) whom he describes as all winners
and wanted to have them all recognized. Players came
from Shelton, Olympia, Port Orchard, Gig Harbor,
Bremerton, Tahuya, Tacoma, Seattle, Spokane, and
Portland. Winner’s Photo follow:
1st Place: (Above)
Mike Waters & Helen Bryant
Star Search 2006 (continued on next page)...
Star Search 2006 (continued from prior page)...
2nd Place: (Above)
Jeff Smith & Ryan Devlin
3rd Place: (Above)
Ernie Montoya (Fir Cone Owner) &
Frank Mako (PNW Hall of Famer & TSA Director)
4th through 5th (tie) Place (No photos available): Fourth place went to the team of Jim “007” Thorton and Russ
Frazier. Tied for fifth place was Carolyn Floyd and Evelyn and the team of Claire Kenney and her daughter Renee.
Ernie Montoya (Fir Cone owner) would like to express his thanks to the Promoters, the Tournament Director, and
the Shelton Shuffleboard community for their support and dedication to keeping shuffleboard alive. Ernie also went on
to express his thanks for the players whom he describes as all winners and wanted to have them all recognized. Players
came from Shelton, Olympia, Port Orchard, Gig Harbor, Bremerton, Tahuya, Tacoma, Seattle, Spokane, and Portland.
Below is a list (*See NOTE) of everyone who played (38 Players/19 Teams):
1. Dick Doaks - Peggy
2. Carolyn Floyd - Evelyn
3. Bill Walker - Little Joe
4.Mel & Melinda Hohn
5. Melody Marine - Maggie
6. Gary George - Jenna
7. Jim Thorton - Russ Frazer
8.Claire Kenney - Renee
9. Vern & Ryan Gonzales
10. Jeff Young - Dave Curtis
11. Mike Waters - Helen Bryant
12. Frank Floyd - Butch
13. Frank Mako - Ernie Montoya
14. Jeanette Hohn - Daryl Gustufson
15. Judy George - Brenda
16. Jeff Kersting - Chris
17. Paulette & Scott McKinney
18. Joe & Shirley Smith
19. Ryan Devlin - Jeff Smith
* NOTE: I apologize to all the players who didn’t get their last name listed. I didn’t have them and it would take too long to research.
16TH ANNUAL GRANDMASTERS PLUS
AUGUST 4rd - August 6th, 2006 ** Reported by: Bill & Sandee
http://www.tableshuffleboard.org/PNW_Newsletters.htm and http://www.tableshuffleboard.org/August_2006_Results.htm
Quilcene, Washington (August 4-6, 2006): The 16th
Annual Grandmaster Plus Tournament, held annually at the
Whistling Oyster in Quilcene was a great success.
On Friday night, we were able to have two Open Draws.
Friday Nite Open Draw Winners: ($20/player entry)
• Open Draw #1: Tom Campbell and Carl Rousch
• Open Draw #2: Claire Kenney and Jeff Mercer
Grand Masters Doubles Winners: ($60/player entry;
2 of 3 winner bracket; Single Game Loser Bracket)
1st Place: Darrol Nelson and Mike Waters
2nd Place: Gary George and Jeff Kersting
3rd Place: Tom Campbell and Rick Shaw
4th Place: Clark and Claire Kenney
Notable: The Grand Masters Doubles was won again by
last years winners Darrol Nelson and Mike Waters (Darrol
has won 11 times since 1990 of the 16 tournaments, with 5
different partners).
We hope that fun time was had by all. We try really hard to
have a great tournament. All kinds of R.V. parking, tables,
B.B.Q. and etc.
Grand Masters Doubles 1st Place:
Darrol Nelson and Mike Waters
Results Reported By:
Bill & Sandee – Whistling Oyster
Contact: 360-765-3436 (Home) 765-3411 (Office) 765-9508 (Club)
(2006 Grand Masters Plus -- Continued Next Page)
(2006 Grand Masters Plus -- Continued From Prior Page)
Grand Masters Doubles 2nd Place:
Jeff Kersting and Gary George
Grand Masters Doubles 4th Place:
Claire & Clark Kenney (husband/wife Team)
Grand Masters Doubles 3rd Place:
Rick Shaw and Tom Campbell
(2006 Grand Masters Plus -- Continued Next Page)
16TH ANNUAL GRANDMASTERS PLUS (Photo Collage)
Bowers’ Corner & TSA Tournament E-News©
2006 Canadian Masters Longboard Tournament
August 17-20, 2006, Royal Canadian Legion Branch #83, Burnaby, BC, Canada
-- Results Reported By: Elaine Hill
http://www.tableshuffleboard.org/August_2006_Results.htm
August 17-20, 2006: (BC, Canada):
The 2006 Canadian Masters Longboard Tournament was
held at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #83, Burnaby,
British Columbia on August 17-20, 2006. Thank-you to all
our sponsors, volunteers, and visitors for a successful event
again this year! Prize monies totaled $8500 including $2100
added through sponsorship and fund raising efforts.
Congratulations to our winners. A job well done!
Division I Doubles Winners:
1st place - Gordie Smith (Coquitlam, B.C.) & Marv Wilbur
(Skagit Valley, Washington)
2nd place - Don Stallsworth (Medford, Oregon) & Kabal Bimb
(Victoria, B.C.)
A good portion of our added money comes through ticket
sales on an annual Basket raffle where our shuffleboard
community in the Greater Vancouver area work together to
sell and buy tickets in a large group effort. This year was a
tremendous success. Thanks to you all!
1st Prize - Gerry Chang (Burnaby, B.C.)
2nd Prize - Earl Coles (Spokane, Washington)
3rd Prize - Marie & Billy Callaghan (Vancouver, B.C.)
4th Prize - Don Wooding (Vancouver)
“Triple Crown” Shirts – Dick Moore (Vancouver) &
Gordie Smith (Coquitlam)
Enjoy!
Division II Doubles Winners:
1st place - Mario Briones (Skagit Valley) & Joe Paszkowski
(Skagit Valley)
2nd place - Harry Oda (New Westminster, B.C.) & Ken
Griggs (Vancouver, B.C.)
3rd place - Katie Docile (North Vancouver, B.C.) & Dan
Williams (North Van)
4th place - Marty Atkinson (Surrey, B.C.) & Susan Clark
(North Van)
Open Singles Winners:
1st place - Rick Gindt (Tacoma, Washington)
2nd place - Tom Campbell (Tacoma)
3rd place - Mario Briones (Skagit Valley)
4th place - Brian Burchnysky ( North Van)
5th/6th place - Marty Atkinson (Surrey) & Jake Jacobs
(Victoria)
Ladies Doubles:
1st place - Jackie Stolarchuk (New Westminster) & Pat
Preymak (Coquitlam)
2nd place - Diane Heil (Burnaby, B.C.) & Elaine Hill (Surrey)
A/B/C Draw Team:
1st & 2nd place Split Decision (tied after first 2 out of 3
playoff match)
Gordie Smith (Coquitlam), Ed Stolarchuk (New Westminster)
& Ron Gray (Vancouver)
Eric Kolstad (Burnaby), Elaine Hill (Surrey) & Avis Sinclair
(North Van)
3rd place - Joe Paszkowski (Skagit Valley), Lorraine
Burchnysky (North Van) & Ken Butts (Burnaby)
4th place - Brian Burchnysky (North Van), Tommy Joyce
(Burnaby) & Randy Storjeoff (North Van)
CANADIAN MASTERS
LONGBOARD TOURNAMENT
2006
Reported by:
Elaine Hill
3rd Annual Jack Steffensen MemorialTournament
Held September 22-24, 2006
Blue Goose & Red Dog Taverns, Port Orchard, Washington
Report by: Michelle Foran --- Photos by: Bill Walker
http://www.tableshuffleboard.org/PNW_Newsletters.htm
Port Orchard, WA: The 3rd annual Jack Steffensen
Tournament was held September 22nd through the 24th at The
Blue Goose and Red Dog Taverns in Port Orchard, WA.
The Blue Goose is a cozy little tavern nestled on the shores
of Puget Sound with beautiful scenery abounding and lots of
room for RV parking. The Goose is also home to two good
boards with lots of character. The Red Dog is up the hill
from the Goose. It also has two good boards.
Transportation is provided from tavern to tavern for those who
need it. Thanks for the rides Mike, everyone really
appreciates it. Linda Steffensen would like to thank Dee
Hudson, the owner of the taverns, for letting her have the
tournament there.
This tournament is definitely one of the best tournaments
in Washington with a promise to be even bigger and better
next year. The tournament boasted 27 teams with 12 in the
A division and 15 in the B division. The winners were...
Div A - 3rd Place (Above L-R):
Mike Waters & Jim Foran
Div A - 1st Place (Above L-R):
Dan Hitt & Gordy Smith
Div B - 1st Place (Above L-R):
Mario Briones & Joe Paszkowski
Div A - 2nd Place (Above L-R):
Dean Mako & Alvin Orcutt
(Div A - Continued Next Column)
Div B - 2nd Place (Above L-R):
Joe Smith & Judy George
(Div B - Continued Next Page)
Miscellaneous
Photo Collage
(3rd Annual Jack Steffensen Memorial Con’t. from prior page...)
Linda Steffensen
Div B - 3rd Place (Above L-R):
Melody Marine & Patti Preymak
Joan Millar (Canada)
Elaine Hill (Canada)
Div B - 4th Place (Above L-R):
Michelle Foran & Rob Heidal
The Friday night draw was won by Elaine Hill (from
Canada) and Alvin Orcutt. Second place Friday draw was
won by Clark Kenney and Dave Neal. The lagging 4’s
contest, sponsored by the Sportsmanship Committee, was
won by Mario Briones. Mario lagged 3 4’s and they were all
against Linda Steffensen. Wow, that couldn’t have been
good for Linda.
The pot luck was delicious with chicken and salad
served on Sunday. A big thank you to all of the people who
generously donated to the pot luck. We couldn’t have done
it without you. There were also door prizes. A lovely
painting donated by Claire Kenney and won by Gary George
and binoculars with a built in digital camera was won by
Carolyn Floyd.
As you can see lots of entertaining things going on at
this terrific tournament and like I said, more to come next
year!
Hope to see you there!!!
Michelle Foran
Tacoma, WA
Tim Nugent
Sharon Nugent
Les Burt
Gary George
19th Annual Mixed Doubles
Ernie’s Fir Cone
Shelton, WA
By Arnold Rimmer
On a cold rainy weekend in Western Washington, barely one week after the NASC
in Reno a band of weary shuffleboard warriors gathered at Ernie’s Fir Cone to do
battle and lay claim to the Mixed Doubles Title. But, it almost didn’t happen.
While the NASC was taking place in Reno, Western Washington was under siege
from the worst storm to hit the area in 50 years. So much rain had fallen in such a
short time that the governor declared a state of emergency. Flights from Reno
were delayed up to a minimum of three hours, sparking fears that there could be
stranded shuffleboard players, and the turn out at Ernie’s would be really small.
Come on, did you really think that 10 days of doing nothing but playing
shuffleboard and a natural disaster would stop the faithful from showing up at
Ernie’s? Some players had to make multiple stops and finally cruse into Sea-Tac on
a puddle jumper with only nine seats. The show must go on.
The show did go on; everyone that’s anyone in Western Washington was at Ernie’s
Fir Cone. What a turn out. It was tremendous to see so many great players doing
what ever it took to be there. You could tell that the players were tired, worn-out,
and waterlogged by their demeanor and sluggishness between matches, but while
they were playing you would have thought that this was their first time, what
enthusiasm and excitement. All the participants will tell you that this was the most
fun they had playing shuffleboard in a long time, if you missed it - shame on you.
Due to all the dedicated shuffleboard players at Ernie’s it was impossible to finish
the tournament. Therefore, first place was a split between Claire and Clark Kenney
and Jeanette and Mel Hohn. Third place went to the team of Jennifer King and
Mike Waters. Penny Jorgensen and Dick Doak from Shelton finished in fourth
place. Fifth place was a tie between Tim and Sharon Nugent and the team of Frank
and Carolyn Floyd.
Ernie would like thank the multitude of players and the Shelton Shuffleboard
Community for their tireless support. The next tournament at Ernie’s Fir Cone
will be the Washington State Tournament on December 7 thru 10, 2006. For more
info contact Ernie at 360-426-2221.
THANKSGIVING TOURNAMENT
RESULTS
BZ’S BAR & GRILL
November 24-26, 2006
Burien, Washington
3 PERSON BRING YOUR OWN TEAM EVENT
***EVERYONE HAD A GREAT TIME***
WINNERS
1ST PLACE: JEANETTE & MEL HOHN,
& TED AUSBUN
2ND PLACE: TOMMY CAMPBELL,
JERRY MATSON, & ART THOMPSON
3RD PLACE: DAN HITT, JEFF MERCER & LYDIA
BRIONES
**NEXT TOURNAMENT WILL BE IN APRIL***
COME JOIN THE FUN!!
2006 Washington State Championships
December 7 - 10, 2006
Ernie’s Fir Cone Tavern, Shelton, Washington
By Arnold Rimmer
Due to the fact that the State Tournament should be the most important in Washington,
before anything else we should announce the 2006 Champions.
OPEN SINGLES
Champion: Loren Lampley
2nd. Place Vern Gonzales
3rd. Place Carl Roush
OPEN DOUBLES
Jim Foran - Kenny Simmons
Carl Roush - Mel Hohn
Ryan Devlin - Jeff Kersting
Div. II Singles
Champion: Jeff Mercer
2nd. Place Ryan Strayer
3rd. Place Joe Paszkowski
Div. II Doubles
Joe Paszkowski - Jeff Mercer
Linda Walker - Bill Walker
Jeanette Hohn - Michelle Foran
No one in Washington can explain it, but for some unknown reason Washington has
not had a State Tournament since 2002. Dean Johnson from Shelton ask the question,
“why?” Not receiving a suitable answer, he set out to do something about it. Therefore,
he assembled a team responsible for the coordination of efforts.
First, we needed to find a place to hold the event (a sponsor)…
Ernie Montoya owner of Ernie’s Fir Cone in Shelton was honored to sponsor the event.
Ernie rearranged his bar to accommodate two more boards, and even went as far as
getting a hard liquor licenses.
Next, we had to find two extra boards. Carl Roush and Dick Doak of Shelton
provided the boards. Now, we had to gather up the equipment and people necessary to
move two boards and decide on a format that would include as many Washington players
as possible.
Last and certainly not least, we needed to promote the event. This is really easy in
Washington because of Sharon Nugent. Sharon has worked really hard on developing an
internet network to dispense just this type of information to as many players as possible.
Dean said that if he had known how easy this all was, he would have done it years ago.
However, now that the ball is moving again, the real work begins. Finding people to
keep it moving.
2006 State Tournament Staff
Dean Johnson
Vern Gonzales
Loren Lampley
Dwayne Dibley
Carl Roush
Ernie Montoya
Sharon Nugent
Arnold Rimmer
Dick Doak
Clark Kenney
Mel Hohn
This years Tournament was a success because of the efforts of all those involved, the
players, and our excellent 2006 Sponsor Olympic Shuffleboard. A special thanks goes
to Clark Kenney. Clark worked four solid days moving boards, adjusting boards, finding
bracket boards, running the tournament, playing, and yes he even sold popcorn at
halftime. His only pay is our respect and admiration.
State Tournament Schedule
Due to the fact that this important tournament has slipped through the cracks. Mel Hohn
has decided to keep it going. Below is a proposed schedule. Note that four boards will
be required to run this event. If you have any input or suggestions e-mail Mel at
m.hohn@comcast.net. No Complaints accepted.
2006 - Shelton
2007 - Port Orchard
2008 - Sea-Tac
2009 - Kelso/Longview
2010 - Tacoma
2011 - Olympia
Mel is trying to compose a History of the State Tournament. If you have winner names
and years in either division please let Mel know at the above e-mail address. Finally,
these Tournament cost money to put on, therefore all money rising ideas or sponsors are
welcome. Mel has some good future ideas to make this the most important tournament
for Washington players. He needs your help.
OPEN SINGLES WINNER’S PHOTOS
st
2nd Place
Vern Gonzales
1 Place Champion
Loren Lampley
3rd Place
Carl Roush
No Photo
(See 2nd Place Open Doubles)
DIVISION II SINGLES WINNER’S PHOTOS
1st Place Champion
Jeff Mercer
2nd Place
Ryan Strayer
3rd Place
Joe Paszkowski
No Photo
(See 1st Place Div. II Doubles)
OPEN DOUBLES WINNER’S PHOTOS
st
1 Place
Jim Foran/Kenny Simmons
2nd Place
Mel Hohn/Carl Roush
3rd Place
Ryan Devlin/Jeff Kersting
No Photo
DIVISION II DOUBLES WINNER’S PHOTOS
st
1 Place
Jeff Mercer/Joe Paszkowski
2nd Place
Bill Walker/Linda Walker
3rd Place
Jeanette Hohn/Michelle Foran
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This document was modified last on Oct 16, 2005 - 11:50:44 PDT.
Shuffling the competition
Story by MARTA MURVOSH, Photos by
Frank Varga / Skagit Valley Herald
Interest from youth breathes new life into
old-time sport
If John Martin offers to play shuffleboard
blindfolded, don’t do it for money — you’re
likely to lose it.
Do it to learn from a man who has spent 48
years shooting puck-like weights down a
longboard. His love of competition and skill Tom “Frog” Nordland lets a weight fly during a
have ranked him in the top 5 percent of
shuffleboard match at the Old Edison Inn in
shuffleboard players in the nation.
Edison. Nordland and about 130 other
Skagitonians compete in shuffleboard matches
once or twice a week as part of the Skagit Valley
Martin doesn’t need his sight to be a
winner. All he needs is another player telling Longboard Association.
him where the weights are on the board.
“It’s not a game of sight,” the 68-year-old Martin said. “It’s a game of touch.”
Players like Martin, as well as a bevy of newcomers to the game, are keeping shuffleboard
alive and well in Skagit County, said Phil DePree, secretary-treasurer of the Skagit Valley
Longboard Association. The league has about 130 members who compete at least once a
week at five taverns around the valley. Martin and other experienced players are teaching
younger shuffleboard newcomers the lay of the longboards and the intricacies of shooting
the puck-like weights for points.
Shuffleboard player Rachel McCrery learned from her mother, father and stepfather. She
plays on a team with other 20- and 30-somethings.
“There’s only a handful of us kids who play,” said the 23-year-old bartender. “Sometimes we
get beat really bad. Sometimes we do all right.”
Shuffleboard appears to be undergoing a revival in Skagit County. Competitive spirit unites
the players, no matter their age.
That’s what first attracted bartender Wesley Drake, 27, of Anacortes to the game nine
months ago.
“I’m a competitive guy,” said Drake, who first saw the game while tending bar. “If they say
they are good at something, I’ve got to try and beat them.” Many people think of
shuffleboard as a game played by senior
citizens on cruise ships or in beach-front
resort towns.
But the shuffleboard that Martin and Drake
play is found in taverns, restaurants and
family game centers. Rather than a wooden
deck, they use a longboard on legs that
elevate it to the level of an average person’s
waist.
Each player starts off with four weights. The
goal is to hand-push the weights into the
highest -scoring area without sending them
Mike Conn prepares to send a puck-like weight
off the end of the board.
down the shuffleboard.
Points — from one to four — are tallied depending on which of the three scoring sections a
weight comes to rest on the board. A player earns four points if the weight comes to rest
halfway off the end of the board without falling off.
Players can keep opponents from scoring by knocking their weights off the end of the board.
Players also can use their own weights by placing them in front of another to protect a highscoring weight.
Scores aren’t tallied until each of the players’ four weights are shot. The last shot, called the
“lag shot,” often decides the game. The first person to reach 15 points wins.
Four players at a time also may play in a doubles match. There are several variations on the
basic game.
The game is complicated by “curves” in the board, which affect the direction that a weight
travels, said Larry Sawyer, another top-ranked player. Sawyer, 67, of Anacortes won the
2001 North American Championship in Reno for Division 1, which is a ranking a step below
professional.
“The really good players can make the shot when they need to,” Sawyer said.
Competitive spirit seems to have attracted many players to the longboard association.
“I like the competition plus the comradeship and the friends you meet,” Sawyer said.
When Martin first started out 48 years ago, he had to work hard to earn a spot on a team in
Everett. It was the competition that kept him coming back, he said.
“I don’t like to lose, so I started practicing,” Martin said.
Others, such as 84-year-old Paddy Conn of Edison, just enjoy a good game with friends.
Conn started playing in the late 1940s with friends. After moving to Skagit Valley, she and
her late husband taught the game to their son, Mike Conn.
“If you go in with the idea you’re going to win every game, you might as well not bother,”
Paddy Conn said.
There have been shuffleboard leagues in Skagit Valley since the 1950s, DePree said.
Organized in 1992, the Skagit Valley Longboard Association is the most recent.
Once there were about 20 longboards in taverns and other businesses from Concrete to
Anacortes, DePree said. There were leagues in Snohomish and King counties. But many
leagues have disappeared as interest in the game has waned and other tavern sports have
taken its place.
The movie “The Hustler” made playing coin-operated pool more popular than shuffleboard,
DePree said. Tavern owners realized they could make more money from pool, which can be
played in less time than shuffleboard, and began to replace the longboards with the green
felt -covered tables, he said.
In Skagit County, shuffleboard playing has remained relatively steady. In 1981, the league
had 23 teams, DePree said. Now, there are 19.
Drake said younger people aren’t drawn to shuffleboard right away. But he said he thinks
they can get sucked in over time.
“For the young, you’ve got to relax your muscles and chill out. It’s hard to do,” Drake said.
Patience is important, said Joe Paszkowski, a 33-year-old painter who was drawn to the
game four years ago after injuries stopped him from playing baseball. He learned
shuffleboard from his father, John, who has gotten serious about the sport. He said he
plans to compete in Reno, where there is $300,000 in prize money up for grabs later this
month. Like Joe Paszkowski’s first love, baseball, shuffleboard has strategy and can be a
thinking man’s game.
“It’s just a big chess game,” Paszkowski said. “If I take this weight off, what happens?”
n Marta Murvosh can be reached at 360-416-2149 or mmurvosh@skagitvalleyherald.com
Five places to play
The Skagit Valley Longboard Association leagues meet at 7 p.m. Wednesdays and 2 p.m.
Saturdays.
•
•
•
•
•
The Corner Tavern, 14565 Allen West Road, Allen. 360-757-6113.
The Old Edison Inn, 5829 Canes Court, Edison. 360-766-6266.
Gene’s Tavern, 127 North Oak, Burlington. 360-755-9124.
Eagles Aerie No. 3242, 119 N. Cherry, Burlington. 360-755-0483.
Bellows Tavern, 112 S. Cherry, Burlington. 360-755-0165.
Registration closes Oct. 22 for the Saturday league and Oct. 26 for the Wednesday league.
Each league costs $15 for the season or $30 for both leagues.
For more information, call one of the establishments or the Old Edison Inn, 360-766-6266,
and ask for Phil DePree.
On the Net:
www.shuffleboardcorner.com
© 2005 Skagit Valley Publishing Company
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